“My dragon called to me when I was four.” He tapped the knot. “I remember the roar inside my head and the ache in mychest. It was as if something huge was trying to push itself out of me.”
“That must have been terrifying.”
“I wasn't scared. I felt him, and he felt natural.” He tapped the turns of his knot. “He led me through my shift. It was like coming awake and stretching. My muscles felt as if they'd been restrained for too long. And then I was him.” He ran his finger over the intricate collection of nubs that looked like a dragon's head. “He taught me to fly. I can still remember the feeling of awe, how my chest seemed to open wide to take in the world.”
“I know that feeling! That's how I feel when I fly.”
Raven grinned and took my hand. “We are more alike than you know.”
“Tell me more. Were your parents proud?”
“I scared my father.” He chuckled. “Usually, our parents teach us to shift by showing us their dragons, and then they escort us on our first flight. But I had done it all alone, and flew off to explore. My father saw me and had to shift quickly and give chase. He said he'd never been so scared as when he saw me soaring off toward town. Scared and proud.”
I smiled, imagining Raven as a little dragon, roaring as he flew over his enclave. “You were warning them all of what you'd become.”
“I find it very interesting that we both had unusual first flights.”
“Maybe your goddess and mine are friends.”
Raven blinked. “I've never thought of the Gods interacting with each other, but why not? They must get lonely.”
“Everyone needs a friend.” I touched his story-knot, wondering if we really were meant for each other, our lives mimicking each other's from the very beginning.
“Yes, everyone needs a friend. Even lovers are best when they're friends first.” Raven's gaze coasted over my face. “Will you be my friend, Eliel?”
“I'm afraid it's too late for that, Raven.”
He blinked, his mouth falling open.
“We've been more than friends from the start. We can't go back now.”
Raven let out a soft sound of pleasure and mirth. “I don't want to go back, but we can go forward into friendship, my foundling. Friends share stories, as we just did. They keep each other's secrets and dream about the future together. They laugh and support each other. Friends share everything that's important in their lives. I want all these things with you. So, I ask you again, will you be my friend?”
“Yes, my Raven. I'll be your friend.”
With a sound of joy, he dropped to his knees and pulled me into a kiss.
Chapter Fifteen
Night found my new friend and me camped in a less sacred place. Off the main road, the carriages were wedged between the trees, the horses settled in a group, and our tents spread around a central fire. We were well hidden and secure. Still, the King posted three knights to take the first shift of guarding the camp. The rest of his King's Guard sat around the fire with us. The topic was, of course, Chief Nahel and the Crimson Feathers.
Each Dragon knight offered a report of his experience to the Dragon King, recounting the battle in as much detail as possible. Sir Foxren had fared better than His Majesty and didn't need a song to recover. Still, he'd been granted a reprieve from guard duty for the entire night.
“The blade was strange,” Sir Foxren said.
“It was Nahel who injured you?” the Dragon King asked.
“Yes, sire. I saw him standing just outside the camp, watching. So, I attacked him. He barely struck me as he darted past, but when I tried to follow, I couldn't.”
“It was the same with me. I lost control of my body.”
“But you roused yourself,” I said. “Even with that great wound in your back and your paralysis, you defended me.”
“Yes, because it was you.”
Sir Vanoak cleared his throat.
“Van?” Raventar lifted an eyebrow at the knight.
